06.09.06
Random Health Wrapup
I’ve collected a couple random links to health related info. First, extracts of the fruit of Gardenia jasminoides Ellis, typically used in traditional Chinese Medicine, can relieve the symptoms of Type 2 diabetes. Also, another study how Alcoholic drinks reduce heart risk. Suprisingly, or not suprisingly, the effects differ for men and women. For men frequency is important. Drinking every day tops off at around 41% lower risk. For women alcohol general consumptiuon had a protective effect, but the frequency was not important. One drink a week lowered risk by 35%. The suggest that the reduce in risk can be attributed to increases in HDL, and lower plasma and fibrogen levels, which contribute to blood clotting. Heres a study that suggest that Coffe makes you more openminded. The study shows that coffee (not sure if its only the caffeine) promotes better mental function allowing you to concentrate better. And since you can concentrate better, you are more able to assimiliate a persuasive argument (and hence are more openminded). Finally, a study exploring the biological mechanism behind food comas. Our bodies have orexin neurons that monitor blood-glucose levels. These neurons keep us awake and alert when we are hungry and help us to fall asleep after we eat (to conserve energy of course). Malfunctions of glucosensing in the body can affect normal patterns of wakefulness (e.g., narcolepsy).
Also an interesting site statemaster.com showing various statistics across the US. You can see which states are the richest, most murderous, most taxed, healthiest, penny pinchers, etc. Interesting statistics include: District of Columbia is the most trigger happy, with 31.2 firearm deaths per 100,000 people, Vermont is the most Educated,
and New Jersey has the highest nest egg index.